Piaget, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Lincoln, T-Mobile And IFC To Serve As Premier Sponsors Of The 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards

Principal Sponsors Include Stella Artois and the newly arrived Windows PhonePremiere broadcast to air exclusively on IFC on Saturday, February 23 at 10:00 pm ET/PT

February 22, 2013 --

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Spirit Awards, the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series and Los Angeles Film Festival, announced its sponsors for the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which will be held in a tent at Santa Monica beach on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Piaget is a Premier Sponsor and the Official Jeweler, Jameson Irish Whiskey is a Premier Sponsor and Official Spirits, Lincoln, a Premier Sponsor, is the Official Automotive Partner, T-Mobile is a Premier Sponsor and the Official Wi-Fi Provider, IFC is a Premier Sponsor and the Spirit Awards Broadcaster, Stella Artois is a Principal Sponsor and Official Beer, Windows Phone is a Principal Sponsor and the Official After Party Sponsor, jcp and Joe Fresh are the Official Gift Bag Sponsor, VOSS Artesian Water from Norway is the Official Water, WireImage is the Official Photographer, American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent and On 3 Productions is the Official Presenter Gift Lounge producer.

As previously announced, the awards ceremony will premiere later that evening at 10:00 pm ET/PT exclusively on IFC, with actor and writer Andy Samberg serving as host of the ceremony.

For the sixth consecutive year, Piaget is proud to be a premier sponsor of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Once again, the luxury Swiss watchmaker and jeweler will present the Piaget Producers Award in recognition of outstanding creative vision and achievement. Piaget will also host its exclusive backstage VIP lounge where the event's most celebrated stars retreat to relax amidst a dazzling display of Piaget's newest high jewelry creations and exceptional timepieces.

As a fifth year Premier Sponsor, Jameson Irish Whiskey will serve the signature Jameson & Ginger specialty cocktail on the red carpet as guests arrive. Additionally, Jameson is a proud sponsor of the FIND Your Audience Filmmaker Grant, which makes it possible for filmmakers to find a broader audience for their work. As hosts of the Jameson Lounge, Jameson will also be featured in all backstage tents at the Spirit Awards, and a bottle of Jameson will be placed on each table for attendees to enjoy during the show.

Lincoln, the luxury automotive brand, will be onsite at the Spirit Awards on the occasion of the launch of the all-new MKZ mid-size sedan. Collaborating with Interview magazine a backstage experience has been created that pays tribute to Andy Warhol as a filmmaker. In the spirit of the brand's yearlong "Hello, Again" program that supports reinterpretations of noteworthy artistic material, Lincoln will be showing the rarely seen "Screen Test" films provided by The Andy Warhol Museum alongside re-imagined MKZ footage shot in the same Warhol-esque style treatment.

Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. T-Mobile USA's superfast 4G coverage reaches more than 220 million Americans coast to coast. For more information, please visit www.T-Mobile.com.

Stella Artois is proud to be the official beer sponsor of the Film Independent Spirit Awards for the third year. Stella Artois is a longtime supporter of independent film and film festivals across the country and around the world. This year, guests on the red carpet and inside the Spirit Awards will have the opportunity to enjoy a Stella Artois. Stella Artois is part of a Belgian brewing tradition dating back to 1366. It is the number one Belgian beer in the world and is present in more than 80 countries. Stella Artois is best enjoyed served in its signature Chalice, which, together with the 9-Step Pouring Ritual, provides the best possible drinking experience. Perfectly poured and presented, Stella Artois is crisp, clean and full-flavored. Visit www.stellaartois.comfor more information.

Microsoft will be activating two of its consumer brands onsite at this year's Film Independent Spirit Awards. Windows Phone has been recognized as the best smartphone camera available and as Principal Sponsor the company will use the phone to aid in capturing exclusive content on the ground. Windows Phone will present the "Thank You Cam", capturing the reactions of award winners as they walk off stage as well as be the exclusive sponsor of the official Film Independent Spirit Awards After Party. Additionally, Windows Phone will also sponsor the 'Someone to Watch' award, honoring an up and coming artist. View pictures from the event and more at Facebook.com/windowsphone

Microsoft's Outlook.com is thrilled to be a sponsor of this year's 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Outlook.com will be on the ground helping attendees, nominees and presenters get going by providing complimentary transportation to-and-from the ceremony. Those watching the ceremony from home can check out behind-the-scenes vignettes, red carpet arrivals and highlights from the show on IFC, also brought to you by Outlook.com, a powerful new email service designed to be as captivating as the artist-driven films honored at the Spirit Awards.

The Hollywood Reporter is proud to return as the Official Media Partner of Piaget. THR will be backstage with all the winners in the THR photo and video suite, directly adjoining partner Piaget's exclusive lounge, capturing reactions and landing exclusive interviews. Coverage from the evening can be found on THR.com. Visitors to the website will also be sure to spot the THR name on tent cards placed on tables of the stars throughout the venue. The Hollywood Reporter is the entertainment industry's flagship news media brand. Named Entertainment Publication of the Year by the LA Press Club in 2012, THR leads the category in providing breaking news, feature stories and industry analysis to readers of its glossy print edition as well as to 9 million unique monthly visitors online.

jcpenney will give guests at this year's Film Independent Spirit Awards the first look at the Joe Fresh apparel collection at jcp, debuting in March at nearly 700 jcpenney stores nationwide and exclusively online on jcp.com. Before the show, guests will visit a mini pop-up store backstage showcasing key pieces from the Joe Fresh collection available at jcp. Guests will choose a Joe Fresh polo for men or silk blouse for women and receive an exclusive jcp + Joe Fresh tote bag, which organizers will pack with additional goodies.

American Airlines returns in 2013 as the official airline of The Film Independent Spirit Awards. American, which has a rich history of service to the greater Los Angeles area, operated the first-ever nonstop coast-to-coast jet flight from New York to Los Angeles in 1959. Today, American and its regional affiliate, American Eagle, operate more than 320 flights each day into-and-out of LAX. American has more than 500 airplanes scheduled to join its fleet in the next five years including B777-300ERs, which will be flying from Los Angeles to London's Heathrow International Airport starting in June. London is just one of the more than 30 different destinations that you can fly to nonstop each day from American's hub at Los Angeles Internal Airport.

Skype is a communications software whose purpose is to break down barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Skype has recently introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to do things together whenever they're apart. Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg, Skype is a division of Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free atwww.skype.com.

On 3 Productions, the leader in customized gifting experiences backstage at the entertainment industry's most prestigious events, returns to produce the Official Presenter Gift Lounge and Official Ceremony Gift Bags.

For more information about the Spirit Awards, please visit SpiritAwards.com.

ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDSNow in its 28th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience. The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget, Jameson Irish Whiskey, The Lincoln Motor Company, and T-Mobileand Principal Sponsors Stella Artois andWindows Phone

Awards are given in the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, Best Screenplay, John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000), Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography, Best International Film, Best Documentary, and the Robert Altman Award. The Filmmaker Grants include the Windows Phone Someone to Watch Award, Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award, Piaget Producers Award and Jameson FIND Your Audience Award.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENTFilm Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent's Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional, or a film lover.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent's Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent's signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.